A Middlesbrough pub is holding an evening of African music with live performances from five artists.

The Dickens Inn, in Southfield Road, is hosting the Middlesbrough Music Live Goree Festival in its gold room on Saturday, between 8.30pm and 2am. Admission is £5.50. Presented by The African Arts Music Connections Label UK, it commemorates the vibe from the African continent.

BOTANICAL ART: The Guisborough Forest and Walkway is offering people the chance to study the art of botanical illustration under the expert tuition of botanical illustrator Colin Swinton on Wednesday, June 11, from 10am to 4pm. Places are limited and cost £5 each. To book, call (01287) 631132.

GIRLS' CRICKET: Redcar and Cleveland Council's sports development team is giving girls under the age of 14 the chance to learn to play cricket. The four Tuesday sessions from 3.30pm to 4.30pm, will start at Bydales School, Marske on Tuesday June 3. The fee is £1 a session. Call (01642) 444338 for more information.

FRIENDLY PLOT: Volunteers are needed by the Tees Valley Wildlife Trust to create a wildlife friendly community allotment at the Primrose Hill allotments at Stockton, which has already been given a security fence. Candidates are invited to call the Trust on (01642) 759900.

SHED FIRES: Firefighters were called out to fires at allotments on Eston Road, Lazenby, near Redcar, on Tuesday night, but were unable to save two sheds from the flames:

BALLON RACE: A shopper could receive £500 worth of shopping vouchers if their balloon travels the furthest in a race being held on Monday. The Hillstreet Centre in Middlesbrough is hosting the event. Shoppers can enter by filling their details on a ticket at the centre until later today. The release is taking place in the Hillstreet car park at 12.30pm.